^^ 


az<f 


^i 


M 


A  N 


ACCOUNT 

i 

O  F    T  H  E 

COLLEGE 


O  F 


NEW-JERSEY. 


A     M    u 


r:  'i  ^  5s 


AN 

ACCOUNT 

O  F    T  H  E 

COLLEGE 

O  F 

NEW-JERSEY. 


In  which  afe  defcribed  the  methods  of  government, 
modes  of  inllruftion,  manner  and  cxpenccs  of 
living  in  the  fame,  &c. 


With  a  Profpeft  of  the  College  neatly  engraved* 


Puhlijhedt  hy  order  o/theTtiVsrtSS,  for  the  information  of  the 
public ;  particularly  of  the  friends  and  benefaSors  of  the 
injlitutitn,  in  Europe  and  America. 


B»MHayt-girfj»*"-'''^.y'^«»gj:>iiiBiiwM n 


5^ 


WooDBRiDGE,   in  New-Jerfey : 
Printed  by  James  Parker,    1764. 


E     5     ] 

AN 
A  C  C  d  U  N  T,     &c. 


M^e^SMHE  Importance  of  the  liberal  education 
^  T  ^  of  youth,  both  to  church  and  Hate,  and 
K^^M  the  neceffity  of  public  fchools  and 
Colleges  for  that  end,  is  now  (o  univerfally  acknow- 
ledged, as  to  render  an  enlargement  upon  ic 
iinneceflary,  by  way  of  introduflion  to  the  following 
account.  The  main  dcfign  of  this  publication,  is 
to  acquaint  the  world,  with  the  rife,  progrefs, 
and  prefent  flate  of  the  College  of  New-Jersey^' 
which  for  fome  Years  paft,  hath  been  an  Object 
of  public  Attention. 

The  great  difadvantages,  this,  and  the  conti- 
guous provinces  lay  under,  Ibme  years  ago,  for 
tvant  of  luch  an  inftitution,  are  well  known.  The 
diftance  of  the  britilh  univerfities,  and  the  expences 

attending 


t     6     ] 

attending  an  education  abroad,  were,  to  the 
american  colonifts,  infupcrable  obftacles.  The 
two  colleges  of  ISlew-  England,  and  that  of  Virginia^ 
then  the  only  feats  of  learning,  in  the  wide- extended 
britifh  empire  in  America,  were  too  remote  from 
each  other;,  to  extend  their  influence  through  thele 
intermediate  colonies.  Hence,  in  point  of  litera- 
ture, a  large  traft  of  a  well-peopled  country^ 
neceflarily  lay  rude  and  uncultivated. 

As  the  colonies  encrealed,  the  exigencies  of 
affairs,  both  of  an  ecclefiaftical  and  political  nature^ 
became  more  and  more  urgent.  Religious  Ibcieties 
were  annually  formed,  in  various  places ;  and  had 
they  long  continued  vacant,  or  been  fupplicd  with 
an  ignorant  illiterate  clergy,  chriftianity  itfelf,  in 
a  courfe  of  years,  might  have  become  extinffc 
among  them.  Affairs  of  ftatc  alfo  became  more 
embarraffed  for  want  of  proper  diredion,  and  a 
competent  number  of  men  of  letters,  to  fill  the 
various  political  offices.  The  bench,  the  bar,  and 
feats  of  legiflation,  required  fuch  accomplifhments, 
as  are  feldom  the  fpontancous  growth  of  nature, 
'unihiproved  by  education. 

Yet, 


[     7     ] 

Yet,  even  in  this  dark  period,  tliere  were  not 
wanting  leveral  gentlemen,  both  of  the  civil  and 
facred  chara<5ter,  who,  forming  a  juft  eflimate  of 
the  importance  of  learning,  exerted  their  utmoft 
efforts,  to  plant  and  cherilh  it  in  the  province  of 
New-Jerfey.      After    fome    difappointments  and 
fruidefs  attempts,  application  was  at  length  made 
to  his   excellency  Jonathan  Belcher^  Efqj   at  that 
time  governor  of  the  province,  a^nd,  in  the  year 
1748,  he  was  pleafed,   with  the   approbation  of 
his    majefty's    council,    to   grant  a   Charter, 
incorporating  fundry  gentlemen  of  the  clergy  and 
laity,   to  the  number  of  twenty-three,  astrullees; 
inverting  them  with  fuch  powers,  as  were  requifite 
to  carry  the  defign  into  execution,   and  conftituting 
his  majcfty's  governor  for  the  time  being,  ex  officio, 
their  prefident. 

That  the  conftitution  of  this  college,  is^founded- 
upon  a  free  and  catholic  bottom,  and  calculated^ 
for  the  equal  and  general  advantage,  of  every 
religious  denomination  of  proteftants,  will  clearly 
appear,  by  the  following  extrad;  from  this  charter^ 
*  And  whereas  by  the  fundamental  Conceflions 
5  made  at  the  firft  Settlement  of  New-Jerjey,   b^ 

•the 


I     8     3 

*  the  Lord  Berkely  and  Sir   George  Carteret  then 

*  Proprietors  it  was  among  other  things  conceded 
•^  and  granted  that   no  Freemen    within   the  /aid: 

*  Province  Jhould  at  any  time  he  molejied  punijhed 

*  difquieted  or  called  in  ^ejiion  for  any  Difference 

*  of  Ofinion  or  Practice  in  Matters  of  religious  Con^ 

*  cernmsnt  who  do  not  a^ually  dijiurb  the  Peace  of 

*  the  faid  Province  they  behaving  themfelves  peace- 

*  ably  and   quietly  and   not  ufing   this   Liberty  t9 

*  Licencioufnefs  nor  to  the  civil  Injury  or  outward 

*  Bijiurbance    of   others    Wherefore   and  for 

*  that  the  faid  Petitioners  have  alfo  exprefled  their 
^  earneft  Defire  that  thofe  of  every  rehgious  Deno- 

*  mination  may  have  free   and  equal  Liberty  and 

*  Advantage  of  Education  in  the  faid  College  any 

<  different  Sentiments  in  Religion  notwithftanding 

<  &c.  &c.",  The  world  hath  here  the  ftrongeft 
atteflation,  of  the  liberal  principles,  not  only  of 
^he  government  in  granting,  but  alfo  of  the  petiti- 
oners themfelves  in  their  application  for  a  charter. 
The  views  of  the  latter,  extended  to  the  common 
benefit,  of  all  their  proteftant  brethren.  Indeed, 
had  they  been  othcrwife  difpofed,  the  conftitution 
happily  difables  them,  from  ever,  perverting  the 
inftitution,  to  any  narrow  or  fmifter  purpofes :  Fop 

the 


[     9     ] 

the  charter  further  contains  the  following  claufc, 
^  And  we  do  further  will  give  and  grant  unto  the 

*  Truftees  of  the  faid  College  that  they  and  their 
'  Succeflbrs  or  the  major  part  of  any  thirteen  of 

*  them  which  fhall  convene  for  that  Purpofe  may 

*  make  and  they  are  hereby  fully  empowered  to 
'  make  and  eflablifli  fuch  Ordinances  Orders  and 
'  Laws  as  may  tend  to  the  good  and  wholfome 

*  Government  of  the  faid  College  and  all  the  Stu- 
'  dents  and  leveral  Officers  and  Minifters  thereof 

*  and  to  the  public  Benefit  of  the  fame  not  repug- 
'  nant  to  the  Laws  and  Statutes  of  our  Realm,  of 
'  Great-Britain  or  of  this  our  Province  of  New- 
'  J^^fiy.    ^nd  not   excluding  any  Perfon  of   any 

*  religious  Denomination  whatlbever  from  free  and 
'  equal  Liberty  and  Advantage  of  Education  or 
*  from  any  of  the  Liberties  Im.munities  orPrivi- 
« ledges  of  the  faid  College  on  Account  of  his  or 
'  their  being  of  a  religious  Profeffion  different  frona 
<  the  faid  Truitees  of  the  faid  Colleo;e  &c.* 


O" 


If  any  unfavourable  reprefentations,  have  bee^, 
any  where  made  of  this  inflitution,  as  an  illiberal 
fchcme,  contrived  to  fubferve  the  contracted  intc- 
lelts  of  a  religious  party,  ir  manifeftly  appears, 

from 


[      10      ] 

from  the  above  view  of  its  fundamental  confliitu- 
tion,  that  they  are  untrue  and  groundlefs.  And, 
from  its  management  hitherto,  which  is  no  fecret, 
it  may  be  affirmed  in  the  face  of  the  world,  that 
the  execution  has  been  as  fair,  impartial,  and 
generous,  as  the  plan  upon  which  it  was  originally 
founded. 

Thus  were  the  truftees  pofTefTed  of  a  naked 
charter,  without  any  fund  at  all  to  accomplifh  the 
undertaking.     This,   in  the  eyes  of  fome,  gave 
it  the  appearance  of  an  idle   chimerical  projeft. 
Their  only  relburce,  indeed,   under   the  fmiles   of 
Heaven,   was  in  the  beneficence  of  the  advocates 
and  friends  of  learning.    After  various  folicitations 
in  America^  the  contributions,  tho'  often  generous 
and  worthy  of    grateful    acknowledgment,    were 
found  by  no  means  adequate  to  the  execution  of 
fo  cxtenfive  a  defign.     Therefore,    in  the   year 
1753,   two  gentlemen   were   fent     as   agents  to 
Great-Britain,  and    Ireland,   to    folicit   additional 
benefadlions.    There  the  inflitution  was  honoured, 
beyond  the  moft  fanguine  expectations,  with  the 
approbation  and  liberality  of  fevcral  political  and 
ecclefiaftical  bodies ;  and  of  many  private  perfons^ 

of 


of  the  nobility  and  gentry,  among  the  laity  and 
clergy  of  various  denominations. 

The  ftudents,  in  the  mean  time,  who,  in  the 
beginning,  were  few  in  number,  lived  difperfed  in 
private  lodgings,  in  the  town  of  Newark  j  at  which 
place,  the  college  was  firft  opened  ;  the  public 
academical  exercifes  being  generally  performed  in 
the  county  court-houfe.  The  difficulties  and  danger 
of  thefe  circumftances,  both  with  regard  to  the 
morals  and  literary  improvement  of  the  youth, 
could  Icarcely  have  been  encountered  fo  long,  had  in 
not  been  for  the  indefatigable  induftry  and  vigilance 
of  Mr.  President  Burr,  the  firft  who  officiated 
in  that  ftation.  And  it  was  much  owing  to  his 
unremitted  zeal  and  activity,  that  this  college  9i 
fuddenly  role  to  fuch  a  flourifhing  condition. 

The  truftees,  thus  generoufly  affifted,  imme- 
diately fet  about  ereding  a  building,  in  which  the 
ftudents  might  be  boarded  as  well  as  taught,  and 
live  always  under  the  infpeclion  of  the  college 
officers,  more  fequeftred  from  the  various  tempta- 
tions, attending  a  promifcuous  converfe  with  the 
^^orld,  that  theatre  of  folly  and  diffipation.     The 

little 


[       12       ] 

little  village  of  Princeton  was  fixed  upon,  as  the 
moft  convenient  fituation  ;  being  near  the  center 
pf  the  colony,  on  the  public  road  between  New- 
Tork.  and  Philadelphia,  and  not  inferior  in  the 
falubrity  of  its  air,  to  any  village  upon  the  conti- 

The  edifice  being  nearly  finifhcd,  and  con- 
fidercd  as  facred  to  liberty  and  revolution -princi- 
ples, was  denominated  Nassau-Hall,  from  that 
great  deliverer  of  Britain,  and  aflertor  of  proteftant 
liberty,  K.  William  the  Illd,  prince  of  Orange 
and  Najfau.  It  will  accommodate  about  147  fi-u- 
dcnts,  computing  three  to  a  chamber.  Thefe  are 
20  feet  fquare,  having  two  large  clofets,  with  a 
window  in  each,  for  retirement.  It  has  alio  an 
elegant  hall,  of  genteel  workmanfliip,  being  a 
fquare  of  hear  40  feet,  with  a  neatly  finilhed 
front  gallery.  Here  is  a  fmall,  tho'  exceeding 
good  organ,  which  was  obtained  by  a  voluntary 
fubfcription  :  Oppofite  to  which,  and  of  the  fame 
height,  is  erefted  a  ftage,  for  the  ufe  of  the 
ftudents,  in  their  public  exhibitions.  It  is  alio 
ornamented,  on  one  fide,  with  a  portrait  of  his 
kte  majefty,  at  full  length  j  and,  on  the  other, 

with 


[  u  1 

with  a  like  pidure,  (and  above  it  the  family-arms 
neatly  carved  and  gilt,)  of  his  excellency  governor 
Belcher.  Thele  were  bequeathed  by  the  latter  to 
this  college.  The  library,  which  is  on  the  lecond 
flopr,  is  a  fpacious  room,  furniflied  at  prefent  with 
about  1 200  volumes,  all  which  have  been  the 
gifts  of  the  patrons  and  friends  of  the  inflitution^ 
both  in  Europe  and  America-.  There  is,  on  the 
lower  flory,  a  commodious  dining  hall,  large 
enough  to  accommodate  as  many  as  the  houfe  will 
contain,  together  with  a  large  kitchen,  Reward's 
apartments,  &c.  The  whole  llrudure,  which  is 
of  durable  Hone,  having  a  neat  cupola  on  its  top, 
makes  a-  hafifome  appearance  ;  and  is  efteemed  to 
be  the  moft  conveniently  plan'd  for  the  purpofes  ofv 
a  college,  of  any  in  North- America ;  being  defigned^ 
and  executed  by  that  approved  architecfl  My.' 
Robert  Smithy  of  Philadelphia. 

In  the  year  1757,  the  ftudents,  to  about  the 
number  of  70,  removed  from  Newark^  the  houie 
being  then  fo  far  completed,  as  to  be  ready  for  their 
reception.  Experience  foon  taught  the  fociety,  the 
iliperior  convenience  of  their  new  circumflances. 
The  numbers  encreafed  very  fail.  The  country 
G  became 


[      14     ] 

became  more  and  more  conviHced  of  the  impor- 
tance of  learning,  in  general,  and  the  utility  of 
flich  a  feat  of  education  in  particular  ;  both  from 
the  regularity  of  its  adminiftration,  and  the  figure 
which  feveral  of  its  fons  already  made,  in  the 
various  literary  profeflions.  But  it  was  not  long 
before  it  luffercd,  what  was  then  looked  upon,  as 
an  almoft  irretrievable  lofs.  For  this  fame  year 
died,  univerfally  deplored,  Mr.  President 
Burr.*    Few  men  were  poflelfed,  in  an  equal 

degre^^ 

*  The  following  epitaph,  which  juHly  delineates  his 
charafter,  is  infcribed  on  a  marble  tomb,  ercdled  by  the 
college,  to  his  memory. 

M.  S. 

Reverendi  admodum  VIri, 

Aaronis  Burr,  A.  M.  Collegii  Neo-Cafarienjis  Proefidis, 

Natus  apud  Fairfield,  ConneHicutenJtum  IV  Januariiy 

A.  D.  MDCCXVI.  S.  V. 

Honefla  in  cadem  Colonia  Familia  oriundus 

Collegio  Yalenjl  innutritus, 

Novarcce  Sacris  initiatus  MDCCXXXVIH. 

Annos  circiter  viginti  paftora!i  Munere 

Fideliter  fundlus. 

Collegii  N.  C.  Proefidium  MDCCXLVIII  accepit, 

In  Najfo^ia  Aulam  fub  Finem  MDCCLVI  tranflatuf. 

I>cfundus  in  hoc  Vico  XXIV  Stptembris 

A,  D. 


[     15     ] 

degree,  of  fuch  an  aflemblage  of  fuperlor  talent^. 
He  feemed  to  be  peculiarly  formed,  for  that  im- 
portant fphere  of  adtion,  which  was  afligned  him 
in  the  latter  part  of  his  life.  But  the  reader  may 
fee  the  lineaments  of  his  charader  drawn,  in 
ftriking  colours,  by  a  mafterly  hand,  in  a  funeral 

culogium, 

A.  D.  MDCCLVII,  S.  N. 

iEtatis  XLII.  Eheu  quambrcvis! 

Huic  Marmori  fubjicitur,,  quod  mpri  potuit  i 

Quod  immortale,  vendicarunt  CceU. 

Quceri*  Viator  quails  quantufquc  fuit? 

Perpaucis  acciper. 

Vir  Corpore  parvo  ac  tenui 

Studiis  Vigiliis   afliduifquc  laboribqs 

Macro.  \ 

Sagacitate,    Perfpicultate,  Agilitatc, 

Ac  Solertia,  (fi  fas  dicere) 

Plufquam  humana,  peue 

Angelica. 

Anima  fcrme  totus. 

Omnigena  Literatura  inftru£lui>. 

Theologia  prceftantior  : 

Concionator  volubilis,  fuavis  et  fuadus :. 

Orator  facundus. 

Moribus  facilis,  Candidas  et  jucundus. 

Vita  cgregie   liberalis  ac  bencficus: 

Supra  vero  omnia  emicuenmt 

fiettt 


[     i6    3 


culogium,  publifhed  foon  after  his  deceale.  J  The 
fame  year  died  alfo  his  excellency  governor 
Belcher,  who  continued,  to  the  laft,  a  zealous 
patron  of  religion  and  learning.  His  library, 
'confiftingof  474  volumes,  together  with  feveral 
■  other  ufefiil  and  ornamental  articles,  he  left  to  this 
college,  of  which  he  was  himfelf  the  founder. 

The 
,  .       ,Pietas  ac  Benevolentia, 
Sed  ah  !  quanta  et  quota  Ingenii, 

Induftrias,  Prudentias,  Patientiae, 
C^terarumque  oninium  Virtutum 

Exemplaria, 
Marmoris  fepulchralis  Anguftia 
Reticebit. 
Multum  defideratus,  multum 
Diledlus, 
Humani  Generis  Delicis, 
\  Q  !  Infajndum  fui  Defiderium, 

^  Gemit  Ecclefia,   plorat 

Academia, 
At  Coelum  plaudit,  dum  illg 
Ingreditur. 
In  Gaudium  Domini 

Dulce  loqucntis, 
Euge.  bone  et  fidelis 
Serve  ! 
Abi  Viator  tuam  refpice  Fine?n. 
I  By  William  Livingston,  Efc[; 


■[  ^7     ] 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan  Edwards  fuc- 
eeeded  to  the  prefidentlliip-  Great  were  the  ex- 
pedations  of  the  public,  from  ths  adminiftration 
of  a  clergyman  of  his  very  diftinguifhed  rank  in 
the  Uterary  world.  But  in  a  few  days  after  his 
arrival  at  Najfdti-Hall,  he  was  feized  with  a  mortal 
diftemper  :  And  it  pleafed  the  fovereign  of  the 
univcrfe  to  call  him  from  this  Itage  of  aftion, 
before  he  could  apply  his  fKilful  hand  to  the  work, 
which  his  prcdeceflbr  had  fo  dcxteroufly  forwarded. 

Thus  a  vacancy  again  cnfued,  which  continued 
near  eighteen  months  •,  when  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Samuel  Davies,  of  Virginia,  was  cholen  to  the 
Office  :  A  gentleman,  well  known  on  both  fides 
the  atlantic ;  but  who  was,  perhaps,  no  where 
more  eftecmed  and  beloved  than  at  Najfau-Hall  \ 
His  fine  talents,  added  not  a  Httle,  to  the  dignity 
and  reputation  of  the  fociety,  which  received 
many  improvements,  from  his  ingenuity  and  polite 
tafle.  The  repeated  ftrokes  it  had  lately  fuff^ered, 
in  the  lofs  of  two  fuch  excellent  heads,  extremely 
affected  the  well-wilhers  to  the  interefts  of  virtue 
and  literature.  But  the  cloud  now  feemed  to  be 
diiperfed,  and  all  things  to  revive  within.     For, 

tho', 


I     ^8     3 

tho',  in  the  vacancy  of  the  chair,  there  always 
had  been  one  of  the  board  of  trullees,  appointed 
to  adt,  pro  tempore^  yet,  it  is  reafonable  to  fuppofe, 
that  as  to  any  new  improvements  in  the  education 
of  the  youth,  matters  were,  in  a  great  meafure, 

at  a.  fland. But  how   uncertain    arc    human 

things  ! .  How  precarious  the  moft  elevated  hopes  ! 
In  the  month  of  February ^  1761,  this  brilliant 
genius,  inthemidfl  of  his  rifing  reputation  and 
growing  ufefulneis,  fuddenly  refigned  his  breath, 
to  the  inconfolable  grief  of  the  v/hole  fociety,  and 
univerfal  lamentation  of  all  good  men. 

Soon  after  his  death,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel 
FiNLEY,  was  eledled  to  the  prefident's  chair  : 
a  gentleman,  who  for  many  years,  had  diftin- 
guifhed  himfelf  in  the  management  of  a  private 
academy  at  Nottingham  in  Pcnfyhania  j  and  in  the 
month  of  July  following,  he  arrived  at  Nassau- 
HaLL;  and  entered  upon  his  office.  As  to  the  hap- 
pinefs  of  this  fucceiTion,  the  prefent  ilourifhing 
ftate  of  the  college,  the  general  diligence  of  the 
youth  in  their  literary  purluits,  and  the  internal 
harmony  and  good  order  fo  obfervable  in  the 
fociety,  are  fufHcient  atteftadons. 

We 


[     X9     ] 

We  Ihall  now  give  the  world  fom  e  account  of 
the  modes  of  government  and  inftr^iftion,  together 
with  the  whole  plan  of  education,  the  manner  and 
expences  of  boarding,  the  circumftances  of  the 
fund,  and  whatever  elle  may  be  requifitc  to  ex- 
hibit a  view  of  the  prefent  ilate  of  the  inftitution. 

It  would  be  unneceflary  and  tedious,  to  trouble 
the  reader,  with  a  minute  decail  of  all  the  private 
laws  and  ftatutes,  which  have  been  made,  from 
time  to  time,  for  the  better  regulation  of  its 
members.  They  are  intended,  in  general,  to  fettle 
the  terms  of  admiffion,  to  prefcribe  the  duties,  and 
adjuft  the  powers  of  the  officers,  who  are  univerfally 
accountable  to  the  truftees :  and  elpecially  to  direct 
the  conduft  and  lludies  of  the  youth;  and  to  ref- 
train  them  from  fuch  liberties  and  indulgencies, 
as  would  tend  to  corrupt  their  morals,  or  alienate 
their  minds  from  a  fteady  application.  In  thele  re- 
gulations, it  hath  been  the  defign  to  fix  upon  a  me- 
dium, between  too  great  a  Hcentioufnefs  on  the 
one  hand,  or  an  excefllve  precifion  on  the  other. 
The  penalties  are  generally  of  the  more  humane 
kind  i  fuch  as  are  at  once  expreffive  of  compaflion 
tp  the  offender,  and  indignation  at  the  offence  j  fuch 

as 


[        20        ] 

as  are  adapted  to  work  upon  the  nobler  principles 
of  humanity,  and  to  move  the  more  honourable 
Iprings  of  good  order  and  fubmiffion  to  govern- 
ment. The  laws  indeed  authorife  the  infiidiion  of 
pecuniary  mul6ls,  according  to  the  practice  of  other 
colleges ;  but  they  are  feldom  executed,  as  it  would 
feem  to  be  punilhing  the  parents  for  the  offences  of 
the  children.  It  cannot  be  recolledled,  that  there 
have  been  above  three  or  four  fines  impofed,  for 
upwards  of  three  years  laft  pafl ;  nor  even  one, 
fince  Dr.  Finley  hath  prefided.  And  in  thofe 
few  fingular  cafes,  it  was  done,  rather  for  the  fake 
of  variety,  as  another  particular  method,  of  fixing 
a  brand  of  odium  upon  a  bad  a6lion,  than  as  a  pe- 
cuniary punifhraent.  A  fmall  fine  will  anfwer  that 
end,  as  well  as  a  larger. 

In  the  exercife  of  difcipline,  the  more  ufual 
procefs  is  this.— The.  prefident  or  tutors,  feparately 
or  in  conjunflion,  privately  reafon  with  the  offender, 
in  order  to  make  him  fenfible  of  his  ill  conduft ; 
and  endeavour,  by  their  manner  of  addrefs,  to 
convince  him,  that  in  their  proceedings  againft 
him,  they  are  a6tuated  from  motives  of  fincere 
regard  to  his  own  welfare,  and  that  their  feverity  is 

noc 


[  21  ] 

not  the  efFefl  of  morofenels,  ill-nature,  or  perfonal 
relentment.     If  the  offence  charged,  be    denied, 
evidences  are  adduced  in  proof  of  it.  But  if  the 
youth  difcovers  an  ingenuous  temper,  by  an  open 
frank    acknowledgment,     fuch    a    dilpofition    is 
encouraged,  by  a  mitigation   of  the  punifhment. 
On  the  other  hand,   all  low  and  difhoneft  artifices, 
particularly  lying    and  wilful    equivocation,    are 
refented  as  the  higheft  aggravations.    In  the  refult, 
if  found  guilty,   according  to  the  nature  of  the 
offence,  he    is  difmifled    either    with    a    private 
reprimand,    or  required  to  fubmit   to   a   public 
formal   admonition ;— or,    to  make    a    pen.tenc 
confeffion  in  the  hall,  before   the  whole  houfe;  — 
or,  deprived  of  Ibme  of  the  peculiar    privileges 
of  his  clafs-, — or,  for  Ibme  Hmited  time,    pro- 
hibited a  free  converfation  with  his  fellow  ftudents, 
and  admilTion  into  their  chambers,  as   unworthy 
of  their  fociety  •,— or,  fufpended  from  refidence, 
and  all  the  privileges  of  tiie.  college,  until  the 
matter  be  laid  before  a  committee  of  fix  of  the 
truftees.     In  theie  fever al   kinds  and  degrees  of 
punifhment,  an  impartial  regard  is  had,   not  only 
to  the  nature  of  the  offence,   but  alfb  to  the  dif^ 
poiition,  age,  rank  in  college,  habitual  condud, 

D  and 


and  other  clrcumftances  of  the  offender.  Sufpenfion 
is  the  higheft  cenfure  the  prefident  and  tutors  can 
infli(5t.  The  power  of  expulfion  is  vefted  in  any 
fix  of  the  truftees  convened  -,  who,  having  had 
no  connexions  with  the  otFender,  cannot  be  fuf- 
pc6led  of  prepofTefllon  or  partiality.  It  may  not 
be  amifs,  in  this  place  to  remark,  that  among  one 
hundred  and  twenty  pupils,  who,  for  this  year 
paft,  have  been  under  the  care  of  the  immediate 
governors  of  the  college,  there  have  been  but  very 
few,  whofc  conduft  hath  rendered  them  obnoxious 
even  to  the  milder  methods  of  punifhment.  This 
is  mentioned,  particularly,  in  due  reipeft  to  the 
gentleman  who  now  prefidcs ;  government  being 
tlie  moft  difficult  and  delicate  part  of  the  prefiden- 
t^l  office.  To  teach  a  ciaffic  author,  or  fyftem  of 
pbilofophy  is  a  much  ealier  tafk,  than  to  govern  a 
fociety  of  youth,  in  the  gay  and  volatile  period  of 
life,  when  the  paffions  are  predominant,  and  reafon 
but  in  a  forming  ftate  ;  a  fociety,  collected  from 
almoft  all  the  leveral  colonies  on  this  continent, 
educated  in  different  manners,  with  different  views, 
and  an  endlefs  variety  of  tempers  and  circum- 
ftances.  To  govern  fuch  a  fociety,  fo  as  at  once 
to  command  their  veneration,  and  conciliate  their 

love: 


love :  To  grant  every  innocent  liberty,  and,,  at 
the  fame  time,  to  reftrain  from  every  enfnaring 
indulgence :  To  habituate  them  to  fubjeftion,  and 
yet  maintain  their  refpedive  ranks  without  inib- 
lence  or  lervility  :  To  cherilh  a  fenfe  of  honour, 
without  felf-fufficiency  and  arrogance  :  In  a  word, 
to  inlpire  them  with  fuch  principles,  and  form 
them  to  fuch  a  conduft,  as  will  prepare  for  fuftain- 
ing  more  extenfive  connections,  with  the  grand 
community  of  mankind  ;  and  introduce  them  on 
the  theatre  of  the  world,  as  uleful  Icrvants  of  their 
country.— This  is  the  talk,  the  arduous  talk,  of 
a  governor  of  the  college  :  To  which,  how  few 
arc  equal ! 

As  to  the  branches  of  literature  taught  here, 
they  are  the  fame  with  thofe  which  are  made  parts 
of  education  in  the  European  colleges,  fave  only 
iiich,  as  may  be  occafioned  by  the  infancy  of  this 
inftitution.  The  ftudents  are  divided  into  four  dif- 
tinfb  claffes,  which  arc  called  the  Frejhman^  the 
Sophomore,  the  Junior,  and  the  Senior.  In  each  of 
thefe,  they  continue  one  year-,  giving  and  receiving, 
in  their  turns,  thole  tokens  of  relped  and  fubjedion, 
which  belong  to  their  Handings ;   in  order  to 


[      24     ] 

pre/erve  a  due  fubordination.  The  Frejhman  year  is 
ipent  in  the  latin  and  greek  languages,  particularly 
in  reading  H$race,  Cicero's  Orations^  the  Greek  Tejla- 
ment,  Ludan\  dialogues^  and  Xenophon's,  Cyrcp^dia. 
In  the  Sophomore  year,  they  ftill  profecute  the  ftudy 
of  the  languages,  particularly  Homer,  Longinus,  &c; 
and  enter  upon  the  fciences,  geography,  rhetoric, 
logic,  and  the  mathematics.  They  continue  their 
mathematical  ftudies  throughout  the  Junior  year ; 
and  alfo  pafs  through  a  courie  of  natural  and  moral 
philofophy,  metaphyfics,  chronology,  &c.  and  the 
greater  number,  elpecially  fuch  as  are  educating 
for  the  fervice  of  the  church,  are  initiated  into  the 
hebrew.  As  to  this  fo  unhappily  unpopular  lan- 
guage, no  conftraint  is  laid  upon  the  youth  to  the 
itudy  of  it.  But  it  is  to  be  wifhed,  it  may  foon 
be  more  univerfally  efteemed,  a  ufeful  and 
important  acquifition,  as  we  are  told  it  already  is, 
among  the  politeft  literati  in  Europe.  It  opens  an 
inexhauftible  fund  of  cridcifm,  both  to  the  divine, 
and  the  poet.  But  the  reader  is  referred  to  Mr, 
Addtfon,  Spec.  vol.  6.  N.  405,  where  are  difplayed 
the  fupcrior  beauties  of  the  facred  poefy.— To  return, 
the  Senior  year  is  ennrely  employed  in  reviews  and 
compofition.  They  now  revife  the  moll  improv- 
ing 


[     25     ] 

ing  parts  of  the  latin  and  greek  clafllcs,  part  of  the 
hebrev/  bible,  and  all  the  arts  and  faiences.  The 
weekly  courfe  of  deputation  is  continued,  which 
which  was  alio  carried  on  through  the  preceeding 
year.  They  difcufs  two  or  three  theles  in  a  week ; 
fome  in  the  fyllogiftic,  and  others  in  the  forenfic 
manner,  alternately ;  the  forenfic  being  always  per- 
formed in  the  englifh  tongue.  A  feries  of  queftions 
is  alfo  prepared,  on  the  principal  fubjeds  of  na- 
tural and  revealed  religion.  Thefe  are  delivered 
publicly,  on  fundays,  before  a  promifcuous  con- 
gregation, as  well  as  the  college,  in  order  to  habi- 
tuate them  early  to  face  an  affembly,  as  alio  for 
other  important  and  religious  ends,  to  which  they 
are  found  conducive.  There  is  likewife  a  monthly 
oration-day,  when  harrangues,  or  orations  of  their 
own  compofition,  are  pronounced  before  a  mixt 
auditory.  All  thefe  compofitions  before  mentioned, 
are  critically  examined  with  relped  to  the  language, 
orthography,  pointing,  capitalizing,  with  the 
other  minutiae,  as  well  as  more  material  properties 
of  accurate  writing. 

Beside  thefe  exerciles  in  writing  and  ipeaking, 
mofl  of  which  are  proper  to  the  Senior  clafs,  on 

every 


[     26     ] 

every  monday  three,  and  on  the  other  evenings  of 
the  week,  excepting  faturdays  and  fundays,  two 
out  of  each  of  the  three  inferior  clafles,  in  rotation,, 
pronounce  declamations  of  thsir  own  compofmg, 
on  the  ftage.  Thefe  too  arc  previoufly  examined 
and  corrected,  and  occafion  taken  from  them, 
early  to  form  a  talle  for  good  writing.  The  fame 
clafles  alfo,  in  rotation,  three  on  tuefday  evenings, 
and  two  on  the  other  evenings,  with  the  exceptions 
jufl  mentioned,  pronounce,  in  Hke  manner,  fuch 
feleft  pieces  from  Cicero,  Demojihenes,  Livy,  and 
other  ancient  authors;  and  from  Shake/pear,  Milton^ 
Addtfon,  and  fuch  illuftrious  moderns,  as  are  bell 
adapted  to  difplay  the  various  pafTions,  and  exem- 
plify the  graces  of  utterance  and  gefture.  A  good 
addrefs,  and  agreeable  elocution,  are  accomplifli-^ 
ments  fo  ingratiating,  and  fo  necefiary  to  render 
a  public  fpeakcr,  efpecially,  popular ;  and  confe- 
quently  ufeful,  that  they  are  efteemed  here,  as 
confiderable  parts  of  education,  in  the  cultivation 
of  which  no  little  pains  are  employed. 

The  clalTics  are  taught,*  for  the  three  firft 
years,  in  nearer  the  ufual  method  of  grammar 
fchools,   than  in  the  laft.    The  ftudents    thea 

revile 


[     27     ] 

-revile  them,  principally  as  examples  of  fine 
compofition.  They  firft  give  a  more  literal  tranf- 
lation  of  a  paragraph,  afterwards  the  lenlc  in  a 
paraphrafe  of  their  own,  and  then  criticife  upon 
the  beauties  of  the  author  :  In  which  work  they 
are  aflifted  by  the  prcfident.  No  authors  are 
read  more  particularly  with  this  view,  than  Horner^ 
Horace^  and  efpecially  Longinus— 

"  Whofe  own  example  ftrengthens  all  his  laws, 
*'  And  is  himfclf  the  great  fublime  he  draws. 

Each  elals  recites  twice  a  day  •,  and  have  always 
free  accefs  to  their  teachers,  to  {oWq  any  difficulties 
that  may  occur.  The  bell  rings  for  morning 
prayer  at  fix  o'clock,  when  the  Icnior  clals  read 
off  a  chapter  from  the  original  into  cnglifh. 
The  prefident  then  propoles  a  few  critical  queftions 
upon  it,  which,  after  their  concile  anfwers,  he 
illuftrates  more  at  large.  The  times  of  relaxation 
from  (tudy,  are  about  one  hour  in  the  morning, 
two  at  noon,  and  three  in  the  evening:  And  in 
thcfe  ae  included  the  public  meals.  Evening 
prayer  is  always  introduced  with  pfalmody ;  and 
care  i  taken  to  improve  the  youth  in  the  art  of 
facred  mufic. 

The 


[     28     ] 

The  ufual  method  of  inftrndion  In  the  fclences 
is  this. —The  pupils  frequently  and  deliberately- 
read  over  fuch  a  portion  of  the  author,  they  are 
ftudying,  on  a  particular  fcience,  as  it  is  judged, 
they  can  be  able  thoroughly  to  imprefs  upon  their 
memories.  "When  they  attend  their  recitations, 
the  tutor  propoles  queflions  on  every  particular 
they  have  been  reading.  After  they  have  given, 
in  their  turns,  fuch  anfvvers,  as  fhew  their  general 
acquaintance  with  the  fubjed,  he  explains  it  more 
at  large ;  allows  them  to  propofe  any  difficulties ; 
and  takes  pains  to  difcovcr  whether  his  explications 
be  fully  comprehended.  Advantages,  which  are 
feldom  attainable,  in  the  ufual  method  of  teaching 
by  le(5lure. 

\, 

'  ^In  the  inftru(5lion  of  the  youth,   care   is   taken 

to  cher|fh  a  fpirit  of  liberty,  and  free  enquiry  ;  and 
not  only  to  permit,  but  even  encourage  their  right 
of  private  judgment,  without  prefuming  to  dic- 
tate with  an  air  of  infallability,  or  demanding  an 
implicit  aflent  to  the  decifions  of  the  preceptor. 

The   Senior^  Junior,    and    (towjtrds    the  con- 
dufion  of  their  year)  the  Sophomore  clafles,  are 

allowed 


[     29     ] 


allowed  the  free  ufe  of  the  college  library,  that 
they  may  make  excurfions  beyond  the  limits  of 
their  flated  flu.dies,  into  the  unbounded  and  va- 
riegated fields  of  knowledge  ;  and,   cfpecially,  to 
alTift  them  in  preparing  their  difputations,  and  other 
compofitions.     But  the  comparatively  fmall  alTort- 
ment  of  modern  authors,  in  the  library,  is   one 
of  thofe  remedilefs  difadvantages,    this  inftitution 
muft   lie  under,    until  its  funds   will    aiford    an 
enlargement.       The    prefent    colledion     entirely 
confifls  of  the  donations  of  the  charitable,  both  in 
Europe  and  America.    However,  Ihould  the  trultees 
themfelves  remain  incapable  of  making  additions; 
it  is  yet   encouraging,  that  valuable  bene)  udlions 
of   this  fort    are   rtill,    no.v   and    then  re  cived. 
Gentlemen  who  are  liberally  difpofed,   bur  know 
not  what  books  the  library  is  already  poflcifed  of^ 
may  perule  the   catalogue,  lately    pubiilLed,  for 
the  information  of  the  public  m  this  matter. — 

But  to  proceed — On  the  third  Wednefday  in 
Auguft  annually,  the  Senior  clafs  are  exanuied  by 
the  truftees,  the  college  officers,  and  other  gentle- 
men of  learning  then  prefent,  throughout  all  die 
branches  of  literature,  the  y  have  been  iiere  targfit. 
E  And 


t  30  ] 

And  if  approved,  as  worthy  of  academical 
honours,  the  prcfident  afiigns  them  the  parts, 
they  are  rclpedively  to  perform  at  the  anniverfary 
commencement ;  the  general  proceedings  of  which, 
are  fo  publicly  known,  as  to  fuperceed  all  neceflity 
of  defcription.  They  are  then  graduated  Bachelors 
of  Arts,  After  an  interval  of  three  years,  they 
are  ufually  admitted  to  the  Mafter\  degree.  But 
to  this  latter,  the  terms  of  admiflion,  for  theie 
few  years  paft,  have  not  been  fo  lax  and  indetermi- 
nate as  formerly.  In  the  year  1760,  the  truftees 
made  a  refolve  upon  this  head,  which  it  may  not  be 
improper  to  infert  here,  as  it  ftands  recorded  in 
in  the  minutes  of  their  proceedings,  and  is  as 
follows. — 

*'  The  conferring  academical  Honours,  was  in- 
"  tended  as  an  Incentive  to  a  laudable  Ambition  in 
"  Study,  and  as  a  Reward  of  literary  Merit.  And 
**  the  different  Degrees  of  thefe  honorary  Diftinc- 
"  tions,  conferred  fucceffively,  at  different  periods, 
*'  fuppofe  a  proportioned  Increafc  of  literary 
"  Merit  \  and  confequently  a  fufficient  Time  of 
"  Refidence  in  College,  for  the  further  Profecution 
*^  of  Study  J  and  a  proper  previous  Examination  to 

"  difcover 


[     31     ] 

"  dilcovcr  the  Improvement  of  the  Candidates. 
"  But  when  promifcuoufly  diftributed,  as  curfory 
"  Formalities  after  the  ufual  Time,  without  any 
"  previous  Evidence  of  fuitable  Qualifications, 
"  they  fink  into  Contempt,  as  infignificant  Cere- 
"  monies;  and  no  longer  anfwer  their  original 
*'  Defign.  Therefore  the  Trufl:ees  determine  to 
"  admit  none  tathe  Degree  of  Majier  of  Arts y  but 
"  upon  the  following  Terms. 

"  All  Candidates  for  a  Majier''s  Degree,  fhall 
*«  refide  in  or  near  the  College,  at  lead  one  Week 
"  immediately  preceeding  that  Commencement,  at 
*'  which  they  expe(5tto  receive  their  Degrees :  during 
"  which  Time,  they  fliall  fubmit  to  the  Laws  and 
"  Orders  of  the  College  :  and  on  the  Tuefday  Morn- 
"  ing,  immediately  preceeding  the  lafi  Wednejday  of 
**  September,  (on  which  Day  the  Anniverfary  Com- 
"  mencement  is  held,)  they  fliall  attend  in  the  Col- 
"  lege,  in  order  to  pafs  fuch  an  Examination,  as 
"  the  Truftees,  then  prefent,  fliall  think  neceflTary ; 
"  efpecially  in  llich  Branches  of  Literature,  as  have 
"  a  more  direct  Connexion  with  that  Profefllon  of 
"  Lifej  which  they  have  enterc  d  upon,  or  have  in 
^yiew;     whether  Divinity,   Law,    or    Phyfic. 

"And 


[     3-     ] 

"  And  Iliall  make  fuch  Preparations  for  the  Com- 
<*  mencement,  as  the  Officers  of  the  College  fliall 
"  judge  proper. 

"  As  fo  fhort  a  Refidence  can  be  an  intolerable 
«'  Inconvenience  to  but  very  ft  w,  and  will  render 
<'  a  fecond  Degree  a  real  Honour,  the  Truftees 
"  will  not  difpenfe  with  it  in  ordinary  Cafes.  Yet 
"  as  the  Circumftances  of  fomc  Perfons,  of  fuffi- 
"  cient  Accomplifhments,  may  render  them  inca- 
«'  pable  of  Refidence,  they  are  to  inform  the  Pre- 
*'  fident  by  Letter,  fome  convenient  Time  before 
*'  the  Commencement,  at  which  they  intend  to  offer 
*'  themfclves  Candidates,  of  the  Reafons  of  their 
"Incapacity,  that  the  Truftees  may  judge,  whe- 
"  ther  they  are  fufficient  for  a  Difpenfation  for  the 
*'  whole,  or  any  Part  of  the  Time  required." 

This  law,  as  is  declared  in  another  place, 
extends  alfo  to  the  bachelors  from  other  colleges, 
who  ijtand  candidates  for  a  higher  degree,  than 
they  have  yet  been  admitted  to.  Graduates  from 
other  colleges,  upon  producing  their  diplomas,  or 
other  fufficient  tcftimonials,  are  admitted  Ad 
Bund  EM,  without  any  previous  examination  :  But 

then. 


[     33     ] 

then,  it  is  inferted  in  their  diplomas,  and  publicly 
declared  by  the  prefident,  to  be  conferred  Honoris 
Causa,  according  to  the  pradice  of  fome  uni- 
veriities  abroad.  And  with  regard  to  all.— None 
are  admitted  without  teftimonials  of  their  good 
moral  condudl,  while  abfent,  figned  by  two 
or  more  gentlemen  of  note  and  veracity,  in  the 
place  where  they  have  refided  ;  or,  unlcfs  recom- 
mended by  one  of  the  truftecs,  or  college  officers, 
from  perfonal  knowledge. 

As  to  admiffion  into  the  feveral  clafles,  thcfc 
are  the  regulations.— Candidates  for  admiffion  into 
the  loweft  or  frefhman-clafs,  muft  be  capable  of 
compoiing  grammatical  latin,  tranllating  Virgil, 
Cicero's  Orations,  and  the  four  evangelifts  in  greek, 
and,  by  a  late  order,  mufl  underftand  the  prin- 
cipal rules  of  vulgar  arithmetic.  Candidates  for 
any  of  the  higher  claffes,  are  not  only  previoufly 
examined,  but  recite  a  fortnight  upon  tryal,  in 
that  particular  clafs  for  which  they  offer  themfelves ; 
and  are  then  fixed  in  that,  or  a  lower,  as  they 
happen  to  be  judged  qualified  :  But,  unlefs  in 
very  fingular  and  extraordinary  cafes,  none  are 
received  after  the  junior  year. 

Beside 


[     3+     ] 


Beside  thele  examinations  for  admiflion  into  the 
refpefbive  clafles,  and  the  laft  examination  of  the 
fcnior  clafs,  previous  to  their  obtaining  the  firfl 
collegiate  honours;  the  three  inferior  clafles,  at  the 
end  of  every  year,  are  examined  in  fuchof  theclaflics, 
arts  and  fciences,  as  they  have  ftudied,  in  order  for 
admiflion  into  the  next :  And  iuch  as  are  found  un- 
quahfied,  are  not  allowed  to  rile  in  the  ufual  coutie. 
Thefe,  in  like  manner  as  the  laft  examination  of 
the  fenior-clafs,  are  attended  upon  by  the  prefi- 
dent  and  tutors,  in  conjundlion  with  any  other 
gentlemen  of  liberal  education,  who  chufe  to  be 
prefent.  Dr.  Finley  hath  alfo  inftituted  quarterly 
examinations  of  the  three  clafles,  before  mentioned  : 
But  thefe  are  not  fo  univerfal  as  the  former,  being 
reftrided  only  to  what  they  have  ftudied,  during 
the  quarter.  They  have  been  found  to  anfwer 
excellent  purpofcs  \  for  thereby,  the  inftrudlors 
can  eafily  obferve  the  gradual  progrels  each  one 
makes;  and  arc  thence  enabled,  either  to  encourage 
or  warn  them,  as  their  feveral  cales  require. 
Hence  alio,  as  it  may  be  imagined,  it  hath  not  a 
little  conduced,  to  the  afllduity  and  carefulnefs 
of  the  ftudents,  in  their  daily  preparations. 

There. 


[     35     ] 

There  is  a  gram  mar- fchool  annexed  to  the 
college,  as  a  nurlery  for  it,  under  the  general  in- 
fpedtion  of  the  prefident,  though  not  a  part  of  the 
original  conftitution.  This  was  firft  let  up  by 
prefident  Burr,  and  has  been  handed  down  to 
his  fucceffors,  the  truftees  taking  it  under  their 
patronage,  during  the  feveral  vacancies  in  that 
office.  Befides  the  latin  and  greek  languages,  into 
which  the  youth  are  here  initiated,  they  have 
been  alfo  early  taught  the  graces  of  a  good  delivery, 
and  fpent  a  fmall  portion  of  every  day  in  improv- 
ing their  hand-writing ;  for  which  purpole,  a  pro- 
per attendant  hath  been  hitherto  provided.  But 
this  expedient  being  found  by  experience  not  fully 
to  anfwer  thofe  purpofes,  it  was  lately  judged 
proper^  that  an  englilh  fchool  fhould  be  alfo  ella- 
bliflied,  for  the  fole  intention  of  teaching  young 
lads  to  write  well,  to  cypher,  and  to  pronounce 
and  read  the  englifh  tongue  with  accuracy  and 
precilion.  The  truftees,  in  confequence,  have 
engaged  in  their  fervice,  a  young  gentleman,  pecu- 
liarly well  accomplifhed  as  a  teacher  j  who  hath 
now  opened  this  fchool;  which,  in  like  manner 
with  the  grammar-fchcol,  is  put  under  the  general 
fuperintcndency  of  the  prefident  of  the  College. 

Into 


[     36     ] 

Into  thefe  fchools,  there  are  no  other  terms  of 
admifllon,  than  the  payment  of  twenty  (hillings, 
entrance  money,  according  to  the  cuftom  of  moft 
academies.  Standing  inftitutions  of  this  nature 
muft  have  mailers  to  fupport  and  manage  them, 
whether  there  be  few  or  many  fcholars,  hence  the 
propriety  and  neceffity  of  requiring  fomerhing  ad- 
ditional at  their  entrance.  The  cafe  is  fomewhat 
fimilar  alfo  in  the  college ;  the  officers  of  which 
are,  in  a  great  meafure,  fupported  from  the  tuition 
moneys  the  fund  being  quite  inadequate  to  that 
purpofe.  But  what  is  here  previoufly  paid,  is 
not  fo  properly  entrance  money,  as  a  fmall  acknow- 
ledgment for  the  difpenfation,  in  regard  to  the 
proper  charges  of  the  foregoing  year  or  years,  which, 
according  to  the  cuftom  of  other  colleges,  ought  to 
have  been  fpent  here.  This.is  required  of  thofe  only, 
who  at  their  firfl:  coming,  enter  into  the  Sophomore 
ox  Junior  clalTes:  For  later,  none  arc  received,  unlefs 
in  very  fingular  cafes,  as  hath  been  already 
mentioned.  At  enterinr^  into  the  former,  twenty 
ihillingsis  paid,  being  the  fourth  part  of  the  tuition 
money  for  the  preceeding  year  :  And  on  admilTion 
into  the  latter,  forty  (liillings,  the  fourth  part  of 
fiime,  for  the  two  foregoing  years. 

We 


[     37     ] 

We  come  now  to  give  feme  account  of  thd 
manner,  together  with  the  expences  of  boarding.  It 
is  true,  Co  minute  a  detail  of  the  little  affairs  of  a 
college,  affords  but  a  dry  and  unentertaining  ftory  : 
And  a  relation  of  the  cKconomy  of  a  kitchen  and 
dining  room,  would  be  ftill  more  low  and  vulgar. 
But  as  the  judicious  reader  mud  be  fenfible,  that 
a  proper  regulation  of  thefe  matters,  is  of  more 
confequence  £o  fuch  a  community,  than  a  thoufand 
things  that  would  make  a  more  fhining  figure  in 
delcription  ;  it  is  prefumed,  th^it  (ome  account  of 
them  may  be  expedled  ;  and  that  he  will  excufe 
the  dulncfs  of  the  narrative,  for  the  fake  of  the 
importance  of  the  information,  to  thofc  efpecially^ 
who  may  encHne  to  educate  their  fons  at  this 
college. 

It  is  the  bufinefs  of  the  fteward  to  provide  all 
neceffaries  for  the  ufe  of  the  Ibciety,  to  ea,pioy 
cooks  and  oiher  fervants  to  cleanfe  the  chawibers, 
make  the  beds,  &c.  The  rurors,  and  all  the 
ftudents,  and  fometimes  the  prch^ent,  eat  cogtrher 
in  the  dining -hail,  always  f^aced  acrordinri;  to  rank 
and  feniority.  No  private  m?als  ire  allowed  in 
their    chambers,    except  with  exprels  liccnfe   on 

F  fpecial 


[     38     ] 

jpecid  occafions.  Tea  and  coffee  are  ferved  up 
for  breakfaft.  At  dinner,  they  have,  in  turn, 
almoft  all  the  variety  of  fifh  and  flefh  the  country 
here  affords,  and  fometimes  pyes  j  every  difh  of 
the  f^ms  fort,  and  ahke  dreffed,  on  one  day  ;  but 
with  as  great  difference,  as  to  the  kinds  of  provifion^ 
and  manner  of  cookery,  on  different  days,  as.  the 
market,  and  other  circumflances  will  admit. 
Indeed,  no  luxurious  dainties,  or  coftly  delicacies 
can  be  looked  for  among  the  viands  of  a  college, 
where  health  and  oeconomy  are  alone  confulted  in 
the  furniture  of  the  tables.  Thefe,  however,  arc 
plentifully  fiipplied,  without  weight  or  meafure 
allowance :  And  the  meals  are  conduced  with 
regularity  and  decorum  V  waiters  being  conflantly 
in  attendance.  ^  The  general  table-drink  is  fmall- 
beer  or  cyder.  For  fupper,  milk  only  is  the  {landing 
allowance  J  chocolate  is  fometimes  ferved  as  a 
change.  Some  of  the  young  gentlemen  chule,  at 
times,  and  are  indulged,  to  make  a  difh  of  tea  in 
their  apartments,  provided  it  be  done  after  evening 
prayer ;  that  the  time  fpent  therein,  may  not  inter- 
fere with  the  hours  of  ftudy  •,  except  in  cafes  of 
indifpofition,  or  other  circumftances,  which  are 
previoufly  laid  before  one  of  the  officers,  in  order  to 


[     39     ] 


a  permit.     But  this  is  an  article  wholly  of  private 
cxpence. 

The  annual  charge  of  education,  including 
tuition  money,  chamber  rent,  lleward's  falary, 
iervants  wages,  wafhing,  fire-wood,  and  candles, 
with  contingencies,  may  amcjunt,  communihus  annis, 
to  about  twenty  live  pounds  fix  Ihillings  lawful 
money  of  New-Jerfey\  for  the  market  rifes  and 
falls;  and  on  fome  of  thofe  articles,  the  expences 
are  arbitrary.  Hence  frugality  in  the  ftudent, 
may  Ibmetimes,  without  mcaanefs,  reduce  the 
accompt.  Thovparticulars,  as  they  fland,  for  the 
moft  part,  in  the  ftewara's  books,  are  here  fpecified, 
and  charged  upon  an  average. 

Tuition-money     ------    _^.  4     o     Q 

Boarding,  fleward'^  falary,  and  fervants  7 
wages  inclufive     -     -     -    3 
Chamber  rent     -----r-      100 

Wafhing     -------r-^op 

Wood  and  candles     -     -     -     --     -2     0^0 

Contingent  charges  -------o     6    o 

Tho* 


[     40     ] 

Tho'  this  infUtution  has  fucceeded,  beyond  the 
expedtation  of  its  warmeft  friends,  n9twithilanding 
the  fevere  fhocks  it  received,  by  the  death  of  three 
prefidents,  in  fo  quick  fuccgfTion  ;  and  its  iinfettled 
ftate,  till  the  chair  was  filled ;  yet  it  ftill  labours 
under  feveral  deficiencies,  which  nothing  but  the 
beneficent  hand  of  charity  can  relieve.  With 
mathematical  inftruments,  and  an  apparatus  for 
experiments  in  natural  philofophy,  it  is  but  very 
indifferently  furnifhed.  The  hbrary  wants  many 
of  the  moft  approved  modern  writers,  as  hath  been 
already  hinted.  It  would  be  alfo  of  eminent 
fervice,  had  it  revenues  ample  er^ugh,  to  fupport 
profelfors  in  fome  of  the  diflind  branches  of 
■  literature ;  who  might  each  make  a  figure  in  his 
owii  province,  could  his  ftudies  and  inftrucftions  be 
confined  to  his  peculiar  department.  A  profefTor 
of  divinity,  efpecially,  ior  the  benefit  of  the 
tli€ological  fludents,  would  be  of  fingular  utility. 
At  prcfent,  there  are  three  tutors,  befides  the 
prefident.  To  thefe,  the  college  fund,  can  as  yet, 
afi'ord  but  fcanty  livings ;  the  tutors  particularly, 
unlefs  they  afTume  a  vow  of  celibacy,  are  unable  to  ^ 
continue  in  their  oilices  for  life.  Hence  it  happens,' 
that  when  a  young  gentleman  has,  by  fludy  and 

experience 


[     41      J 

experience,  thoroughly  quahfied  himfelf  for  the 
einploymenti  he  often  refigns  it  j  and  the  truftees 
are  then  obliged  to  clefl  another,  perhaps  out 
equally  fit  for  it.  Affluent  revenues  are,  indeed, 
too  often  fatal  fnares  to  political  bodies,  as  well  as 
individuals.  And  fliould  a  profeiTorfhip  be  con- 
verted into  a  money-jobb,  or  lucrative  poft,  and 
the  falaries  be  fo  confiderable  as  to  become  objedls 
of  avarice  and  ambition  to  unworthy  men,  it  might 
be  a  much  greater  misfortune  to  the  Ibciety,  than 
its  prelcnt  indigent  ftate.  Hence  an  income,  jull 
fufficient  to  fupply  the  abovementioned  defeds, 
and  to  afford  lijch  liv'ings  to  a  proper  number  of 
tutors  or  profeiTors,  as  would  enable  them,  decently 
to  maintain  their  families,  ieems  only  to  be  defirable 
and  requifite. 

The  fund,  until  within  about^a  year  pafl,  hath 
not  much  exceeded  1300I.  but  from  a  lottery, 
which  was  generoufly  fet  on  foot  by  a  number  of 
gentlemen  in  Philadelphia^  in  favour  of  the  inftitu- 
tion,  it  was  increafed  to  nearly  2S00I.  the  neat 
produce  of  the  fame,  after  neceiTary  charges,  and 
lofTes  which  ufually  happen,  befides  v/hat  was 
difburfed  to  pay  urgent  debts,  being  about  1500 1. 

Exclufive 


[      42      ] 


Exclufive  of  the  annual  fupport  of  of^cers,  the 
cxpences  from  other  quarters  are  not  inconfiderable  -, 
nay,  do  yearly  increafe,  as  the  number  of  ftudents 
increafe.  The  truftees  have  been  obliged  to  com- 
plete the  chambers  of  one  whole  flory  of  the 
building,  which  were  at  firft  left  unfinifhed,  not 
being  then  wanted  ;  and  to  build  a  large  kitchen, 
with  Servants  apartments,  both  to  anfvver  its  peculiar 
intention,  and,  at  the  ilime  time,  to  leave  more 
room  for  lodgings  in  the  college  itfelf.  This  too 
ftill  remains  without  a  proper  inclofure  of  its  court- 
yard and  back  grounds  ;  which  would  greatly  add 
to  the  beauty,  as  well  as  real  convenience  of  the 
hall.*  Thefe,  together  with  feveral  other  mediums 
of  expencc,  will  unavoidably  exhauft  all  the  cafh, 
that  can  pofTibly  be  fpared  from  its  (lender  fund. 
Hence,  is  eafily  feen,  the  impoflibility  under 
prefent  circumftances,  of  making  new  additions  or 
improvements,  either  in  regard  to  books,  an  ap- 
paratus, or  eftabliHiment  of  profefTorfhips.  Indeed, 
from  the  countenance  of  the  general  aflembly  of 

this 

*  In  the  plate  hereunto  annexed,  the  court-yard  is  reprcr 
fented  as  inclofed  by  a  pale-fence,  in  like  manner  with  that 
of  the  prefident's  houfe :  But  this  is  done  only  from  the 
fancy  of  the  engraver. 


[     43     ] 

this  province,  in  palTing  an  ad:  for  a  lottery  of  three 
thoufand  pounds,  for  the  benefit  of  this  college, 
fome  good  addition  will  probably  be  made  to  its 
revenues.  But  the  returns  of  this  lottery,  which 
was  lately  drawn,  are  not  yet  made  -,  the  accompts 
being  ftill  unfet'tlcd.  However,  much  greater 
lofies  have  accrued  therein,  than  might  have  been 
reafonably  expefled,  efpecially  from  the  very 
unfortunate  ifTue  of  the  tickets  left,  on  the  rifque 
of  the  college,  at  the  time  of  drav/ing.  So  that  the 
managers  have  reafon  to  think,  that,  on  the  clofc 
of  their  books,  the  clear  profits  will  not  much 
exceed  1.  2.200.  Such  an  acceffion  can  only  enable 
the  truilees,  to  make  fome  addition,  perhaps,  to 
the  annual  allov/ances  of  the  college  officers  ;  tho' 
not  fuch  as  will  be  fufficient  to  retain  them  for  life, 
in  the  charader  of  profeiTors,  much  lefs  to  main- 
tain  a  greater  number.  Befides,  it  is  not  Impro- 
bable, that  by  the  time  they  reap  the.  intercft  of 
it,  another  building  may  become  necelfary  :  For 
an  addition  of  25  or  30  ftudents  more  would  fill 
the  prelent  houfe,  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  that  by 
no  pofTibk  contrivance,  it  could  be  made  to  contain 
a  greater  number,  with  any  tolerable  convenience 
01*cornfort.     And  Ihould  the  numbers  increafe, 

in 


[,    44     ] 

in  the  fame  proportion  they  have  done,  for  thefe 
three  years  paft,  (which  is  v(s  50  to  70)  the  necef- 
fityof  fuch  additional  building,  will  be  no  diftant 
event.  This,  however,  would  be  a  work  im- 
polTible  to  be  carried  -into  execution,  upon  the 
flrength  of  the  prefent  funds.. 

But  bcfide  the  occafions  of  public  encourage- 
ment abovementioned,  and  the  many  private 
bcnefa6lions  received,  fince  the  foundation  of  this 
feminary ;  it  is  matter  of-  pleafure  to  acquaint  its 
friends,  that,  not  long  fince,  a  very  generous 
legacy  was  ordered  in  the  will  of  the  late  col. 
j^lford,  of  Chaf-Ies-Town,  in  the  Majfachtifetts-Bay : 
The  fum  defigned  for  this  college,  is  not  yet 
prccifely  afcertained,  that  being  left  to  the  difcre- 
tion  of  his  executors :  It  is  prefumed  however, 
from  good  intelligence,  that  the  appropriation 
here 'will  not  be  le Is  in  value  than  1.  500  iterling, 
Benefadions  of  this  fort  are  peculiarly  honourable,— 
an  indubitable  indication  of  a  warm  regard  for  the 
intereils  of  learning,  and  of  the  teftator's  high 
fenfe  of  the  utility  of  this  feat  of  education  in 
particular.  No  actions  of  a  man's  life  are  more 
memorable,  than  his  deeds  of  liberality,    before 

the^ 


[     45     ] 

the  hour  of  death ;  when  chiefly  he  confiders, 
what  diftribution  of  the  gifts  of  Heaven,  may 
be  mofl:  agreeable  to  the  will  of  his  divine  bene- 
fadlor.  May  providence  excite  an  emulation  in 
the  breads  of  others,  among  the  virtuous  and 
opulent,  to  follow  an  example  of  fuch  laudable 
and  chriftian  benevolence  :  A  benevolence,  which 
will  extend  its  influence  to  remote  pofterity,  and 
advance  the  genuine  felicity  of  their  country,  when 
they  are  received  into  everlajling  hahitationSy  and 
are  triumphing  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  glorious 
Recompense  of  Reward. 

Thus  is  exhibited  a  faithful  account  of  the 
origin  and  prelent  ftate  of  the  college  of  New^ 
Jerfey : — A  college,  originally  deligned  for  the 
promotion  of  the  general  intcrefl:s  of  chriftianity,, 
as  well  as  the  cultivation  of  human  fcience.  This 
end  therefore  is  kept  in  view,  in  all  the  inftrudions 
and  modes  of  difcipline  :  To  inculcate  or  even 
recommend  the  difcriminating  opinions  of  any  one 
protefliant  denomination  in  preference  to  another*, 
is  carefully  avoided.  In  thofe  matters,  the  Itudents 
are  left  without  any  byals  ofifercd  to  their  private 
judgments  i    and    arc    always    allowed,  without 

G  refl:rainjK; 


[     46     ] 

reftraint,  to  attend  the  religious  worlhip  of  any 
proteftant  fociety,  whenever  they  have  oppor- 
tunity. 

Upon  the  whole,  it  )s  prefumed  it  niuft  appear 
manifcft  upon  rcfledion,  to  every  ferious  obfcrver, 
that  providence  hath,  in  a  pecuhar  manner,  fuper^ 
intended  the  affairs  of  this  nurfery,  from  its  foun- 
dation to  the   prefent   time.     And  indeed,  it  is 
«ftecmed  by  its  directors  their  higheft  honour  and 
happinefs,  that- the  almighty  hath   vouchfafed   fo 
remarkably   to    countenance    and   fucceed    their 
undertaking,    and  thereby     to    encourage    their 
humble  expcdbationsof  his  continued  benediflion. 
To  the  fmgular  favour  of  Heaven,  on  the  means 
of  inftruftion  here  ufed,  it    muft    be  gratefully 
afcribed,    that  many    youth   who  have  come  to 
I'^Jajjau-Hall  for  education,   without  any  juft  fenfe 
of  the  obligations  either  of  natural  or  revealed  re- 
ligion, have  been  here  cffe6lually  reformed,  become 
men  of  fblid  and  rational  piety,  and   now  appear 
upon  the  flagc  of  public  aftion,  employing  their 
talents  to  the  honour  of  the  fupreme  Beftower,  and 
3n  promoting  the  good  of  mankind.  Hence   the 
managers  of  this  feminary  are  emboldened  to  hope, 

that 


C     47     ] 

that  while  the  original  dcfign  of  its  eftabllfliment  ] 
is  fleadily  purfued,  the  fame  indulgent  providence 
which  hath  hitherto  iupported  it,  amidft  the  re- 
proaches of  envy,  and  the  oppofitions  of  malice, 
will  ftill  railc  up  bcnefadlors  to  fupply  its  defici- 
encies ;  and  fucceed  their  difinterefled  endeavours 
to  train  up  our  youth  in  the  paths  of  piety  and 
erudition,  for  the  future  fervice  of  their  country, 
in  any  civil  or  ecclefiaftical  employments. 

FINIS. 


Proper  Forms  of  Donation  to  the  College  by  Will. 
Of  Chattels  perfonaL 
liewy  I  J.  B.  do  hereby  give  and  bequeath  the 
Sum  of  unto  the  Trufiees  of  the  College  of 

New -J erf ey,  commonly   called  Naffau-Hall,    the 
fame  to  be  paid  within  months  next  after  my 

Dcceafe;    and   to    be  applied  to  the    Uies   and 
Purpofes  of  the  faid  College. 

Of  real  Edate. 
I  A.  B.  do  give  and  devife  unto  the  Trujiees  of 
the  College  of  New-Jerfey,  commonly  called  Naffau- 
Hall^  and  to  their  Succejors  forever^  all  that  certain 
Meffuage  and  Trad  of  Land,  &c. 


id^ 


\ 


